Playground device



July 1, 1930. A. R. BAXTER 1,769,199

PLAYGROUND DEVI C E Filed Jan. 22, 1929 2 SheetsSh e ec 1 I n ven'tor xfrZ/ZW %6s3micr Bygzwaadw I Attorney July 1, 1930. A. R. BAXTER PLAYGROUND DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet- 2 l Ulfll 4 v Inventor Jrzzw' Z 055 32522 6)" Attefmm Patented July 1, 1930 ARTHUR ROSS BAXTER, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA PLAYGROUND nnvror:

Application filed January 22 1929. Serial No. 334,201.

The present invention relates to improvements in playground devices and has for its principal object to provide a device that will afford amusement and exercise to children-and which device is capable of being operated by the occupant equally as vwell as a bystander.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a playground device that includes a rockable and rotatable unit mounted on a suitable support that is anchored .in the ground, arms extending radially from said unit and having arranged at their outer ends seats.

Another object is to provide a playground device of the above mentioned character wherein the parts are so constructed as to permit the same to be readily and easily assembled or disa-ssembled, said device being further simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further well adapted to the purposes for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the playground device embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the playground device,

Figure 3 is a modification of the horizontally disposed disc carried by the spherical member showing the foot holding straps and the hand gripping members projecting upwardly from said disc,

Figure & is a sectional view taken approxi mately on the line 4l4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan View of the modified disk shown in Figure 3, and

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through the outer end portion of one of the radially disposed arms showing a modification of the seat structure. r V

In the drawing with reference more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 4 the numeral designates a substantially semi spherioal base that is supported above the ground by means of the downwardly diverging supporting legs or standards 2 that extend from the upper edge portion of the semi-spherical base at equidistantly spaced points, the lower ends of these standards being embedded in the ground and formed with the foot forming portions 3 as more clearly disclosed in Figure 2. v

The playground device further includes the provision of the hollow spherical body 4 that has a portion thereof disposed within the semi-spherical base 1 and suitable ball bearings 5 are interposed between the adjacent faces of the semi-spherical base 1 and the hollow spherical body 4 as more clearly shown inFigure 2.

A flanged ring 6 is secured on the top of the semi-spherical base 1 for retaining the ballbearings 5 within said base and a retainer for the ball bearings wherebyto maintain the same in spaced relation with respect to'each other is shown at 7 in Figure 2. Extending upwardly from the top'of the hollow spherical body is the stem 8, the upper end thereof being reduced and as is clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and2, this reduced portion 9 is of rectangular formation.

A relatively large circular disk 10 formed with a central rectangular opening whereby. to accommodate the reduced rectangular portion 9 and this disk left on the shoulder formed at the juncture of the stem with the reduced portion and a collar 11 is detachably secured on the upper end of the reduced portion 9 for engagement with the top face of the disk 10 to retain the same against displacement from the reduced portion of the stem. I

This disk is formed in its peripheral edge at diametrically opposite points with the sockets 12' within which are secured the inner ends ofthe radially, disposed arms 13. The securing means is shown at 14.

A seat structure 15 is arranged at the outer end of each arm 13 and a hand hold 16 is also arranged on the outer end portion of each arm inwardly of the respective seat 15.

The operation of the playground device in Figures 1 and 2 thought to be readily obvious from the construction disclosed and the disk with the radially disposed arms carried thereby will move simultaneously with the rotation and rocking movement of the hollow spherical body 4.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, there is shown a modification of the outer end portion of each radially disposed arm with the seat structure 17 underslung and afoot rest 18 is supported inwardly of the underslung seat 17 as is also the hand hold 19. i

In Figures 3 and 5 of the drawings, there is shown a modification of the diskwherein two pairs of foot holding stirru ps 20 are attached on the upper face of the disk and a post 21 extends upwardly from the disk between the stirrups of each pair and forwardly thereof and a handle bar 22 is sup ported transversely at the upper end of each post 21. V

This structure is brought into use when the occupants of the playground device as sume a standing position. It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, that I have provided a playground device that will afford amusement to children and in addition 'willsu'pply the needed exercise for the muscles, it being understood of course that the occupants of the seats 15 have their feet engaging withthe ground to start the rotation of the spherical body or if desired, a bystander may propel the device. A. structure of this character may be assembled or disassembled without difficulty and furthermore the device will be strong and durable and at all times positive and eiiicient in carrying out the purposes for which it'isj designed.

While I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new is 1. In a playground device of the class describedfa supporting base, a spherical body mounted for universal movement in the base, a stem extending upwardly from the top of the spherical body, a disk secured horizontally on the upper portion of the steinfo-r movement therewith, radially extending arms carried by thedisk, and a seat structure at the outer end of each arm. i 2. In a play ground device of the class described, a supporting base, a spherical body mounted for universal movement in the base, a stem extending upwardly from the top of the spherical body, a disk secured horiz'tintally on the upper portion of the stemfor movement therewith said disk being formed in its peripheral edge with radially disposed sockets, arms secured at their inner ends in the respective sockets and extending outwardly in the same horizontal plane with the disk, and a seat structure arranged at the outer end of each arm.

3. In a playground device of the class described, a semi-spherical base, supporting legs therefor, a spherical body for disposition within the semi-spherical base, ball bearings interposed between the adjacent faces of the base and the body, a stem projecting upwardly from the top "of the spherical body, and a disk secured horizontally on the upper end of the stem for rotation therewith.

a. In a playground device of the class described, a semi-spherical base, supporting legs therefor, a spherical body for disposition within the semi-spherical base, ball bearings interposed between the adjacent faces of the base and the body, a stem proj ecting upwardly from the top of'th-e spherical body, and a disk secured horizontally on the upper end of the stem for rotation therewith, radiallydisposed arms secured at their inner ends on the disk, and seat structures onthe outer ends of the arms.

5. In a playgrounddevice of the class dscribed, a semi-spherical base, supporting legs therefor, a spherical body for disposition within the semi-spherical base, ball bearings interposed between the adjacent faces of the base and the body, a stem proj ecting upwardly from the top of the spherical body, and a disk secured horizontally on the upper end of the stem for rotationtherewith, b'ody supporting means on saiddisk.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ARTHUR ROSS BAXTER. 

